Hats, Handwraps and Headaches: A Life on the Inside of Boxing

by Paddy Simpson

Overview

Hats, Handwraps and Headaches is the inspiring, surprising and sometimes shocking story of Irish boxing coach Paddy Fitzpatrick, a failed pro boxer who was almost a Foreign Legionary before finding fame as a trainer of world-class fighters. After struggling as a young adult with thoughts of suicide, Paddy's life was transformed by a chance meeting with Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach. Paddy moved to LA to learn his trade at Roach's Wild Card gym, working with the likes of world champions James Toney and Laila Ali, and spending time with Laila's legendary father Muhammad Ali. Back in England, Paddy used the things he had learnt to take George Groves to three world title fights, including the return super-fight with Carl Froch, which drew 80,000 fans to Wembley Stadium. Filled with astonishing anecdotes - like the time Paddy was almost shot by an irate boxer and a near-miss with a grizzly bear - Hats, Handwraps and Headaches is funny and poignant in equal measure, with riveting tales from both sides of the Atlantic.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781785316425
Publisher:	Pitch Publishing Ltd
Publication date:	10/01/2020
Pages:	416
Product dimensions:	6.25(w) x 9.50(h) x 1.50(d)

About the Author

Paddy Fitzpatrick has collaborated with Lee 'Teach' Simpson to write his life story. Lee is a director of learning in state education and has written a series of articles entitled 'Pugilistic Pedagogy' for an educational magazine. The series explores how teachers can improve their teaching techniques by observing boxing coaches and using methods from the boxing gym. He has also written poetry and short stories for various literary journals.

Table of Contents

Foreword 11

Introduction 15

1 It's Over - August 2015 23

2 Paddy 26

3 Before Professional Boxing Takes Hold 31

4 El Novio de la Muerte? 49

5 Freddie Roach and Santa's Grotto 57

6 'Saint' George Groves 69

7 Living and Breathing Boxing in LA 93

8 'Have a Lights Out Day, Baby!' 113

9 Froch v Groves I 122

10 Crashing Freddie's Car - LA Style! 130

11 Froch v Groves I - a loss turns to a victory 136

12 Losing Freddie's Car - LA Style! 142

13 Froch v Groves - Getting the Rematch 149

14 'Wartime' - Vatche Wartanian 160

15 Froch v Groves II 180

16 Fighting Females 192

17 Building back to the top: A visit to GGG 224

18 'I don't want an easy fight' 232

19 Vegas Baby! 246

20 Time To Go - Leaving George 281

21 A Million Miles an Hour 302

22 The Title That Wasn't a Title 317

23 Putting the Peanuts back in their Shells 332

24 The Irish Jake La Motta 344

25 Fight Town 363

26 Final Thoughts 400